Dedham Announces New Parking Regulations For Dedham Square

DEDHAM, MA - Shoppers will be able to enjoy free parking in Dedham Square after the contract with the town's parking meter company was not renewed, ending months of complaints by residents who said the meter system overcharged them.

The Select Board voted unanimously in March not to continue the contract with Municipal Parking Services, known as MPS, which installed what were termed as smart meters as part of a three-year contract. However, the company faced pandemic challenges and was unable to turn on the meters until June 2021.

Residents voiced concerns at several Select Board meetings beginning in January, claiming they had been overcharged by as much as $20 by the new meters, which led to MTS's contract not being renewed. At a previous Select Board meeting, Town Manager Leon Goodwin said his office was "inundated" with complaints. At one point, the deputy police chief also served as a parking hearings officer to address the situation.

The meters currently are covered with translucent blue plastic bags to prevent people from attempting to pay. Select Board Chair Jim MacDonald suggested the use of the bags, which some towns use during the winter holiday season to allow for free parking, to be implemented in this instance until the meters are removed.

Starting Monday, July 18, new town regulations will allow people to park on-street for up to four hours on weekdays in certain areas of Dedham Square. However, until the new regulations become effective, the existing two-hour parking limit remains in effect. The town's parking enforcement officer will monitor Dedham Square.

The parking meter vendor, Municipal Parking Services, will begin removing its parking meters next week.

The new parking time limits will be:

• 4-hour parking will be available from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays along Court Street and High Street west of Ames Street.
  • Parking time limits will no longer be enforced on Saturdays in this area only, which includes 47 spaces.
• 2-hour parking will be available from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays for all spaces east of Ames Street, which includes 108 spaces along High and Washington streets and Eastern Avenue.

People who have had tickets issued on or before June 30 can either pay online or submit a written appeal with documentation to the parking clerk via https://dedhamma.mpspark.com/pay or by mailing the parking clerk at Dedham Town Hall, 450 Washington St., Dedham, MA 02026.

The following information should be submitted as part of the appeal:

• Your name and preferred contact information
• Ticket Number
• Vehicle Plate Number
• Documentation of evidence the violation was issued in error